Hello everyone

[catherinemary]

I am new and I have a question.... My oldest chicken has been eating my turkeys feathers & the blood dropping out from her viscous attacks. Now a few other chickens have joined in. I've read that they need more protein which I'm going to fix that in their diet real soon. But why do they only attack the huge turkey. My turkey only pecks back sometimes, poor thing gets bullied. We are going to separate them if we can fix this problem but I want them to be able to free range together. I rather not put up another fence. Please help. Will the change of diet change this chickens behavior?

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Glad you joined.

Yes chickens that eat feathers usually have a protein deficiency. Changing their diet to a higher protein should help.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!!

 

[sourland]

This may be a dietary issue or it may be a boredom issue or a combination of both. Generally such problems are not common when birds are free ranged. Separation of the birds or the application of Pinless Peepers to the culprits solves the problem.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Like Willowbranchfarm said extra protein should help. You can feed them a little cat food, meat scraps, or scrambled egg. Put some blu cote on the turkey's wounds, it will mask the blood and stop them eating the poor thing! You can also try pinless peepers to stop them pecking. There a discussion with pics on it here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/144815/pinless-peeper-poultry-blinders

Good luck!

 

[catherinemary]

Thanks for the info

 

[Kevin565]

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

X2 what sourland said.

 

[redsoxs]

Hello from Kansas, Catherinemary, and

! Great to have you with us... I concur with sourland and sumi. Best of luck with the feather eating situation.

 

[justbugged]

Welcome from the soggy side of Washington State.

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